Mahavitaran opposes MERC move to raise wind power tariff

In its draft tariff order in January on renewable energy, the regulator proposed a tariff of Rs5.80 per unit for wind power projects in fiscal 2014 as against the existing Rs5.67 per unit. Photo: Mint

Mumbai: Maharashtra state government-owned electricity distribution utility Mahavitaran Ltd has objected to the move by the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) to increase tariffs for wind power projects.

It said wind power tariffs are already higher in Maharashtra than in other states.

In its draft tariff order in January on renewable energy, the regulator had proposed a tariff of Rs5.80 per unit for wind power projects in fiscal 2014 as against the existing Rs5.67 per unit.

“During the hearing before the commission on the draft tariff proposed by the commission, we brought to the notice of regulator that wind power generators in Maharashtra are getting 87 paise more than Andhra Pradesh, which has the second highest tariff for wind power in the country,” Mahavitaran executive director Abhijit Deshpande said on Wednesday. “If MERC goes ahead with its proposed tariff then it will widen the gap to Re1 per unit and it will have an adverse impact on Maharashtra consumers.”